Bara Dasai a tribal and regional festival of Sikkim, that has been celebrating by Indian Hindus since pre-historic period are of two types. These are Bara dashai and Chaitay dashai.
Celebration of Bara Dasai
Bara dashai normally falls in the month of October each year. It is also known by other names like Bijaya Dashami and Deshara. Bara Dasai that is celebrated in the month of Chait that is in the month of March, is called Chaitay dashai or Ram Nawami.
Pomp of Bara Dasai
Bara Dashai is the biggest of all the festivals celebrated in the month of October in Sikkim. Bara Dashai is celebrated with the enthusiasm with which this festival is celebrated is also unparallel. The warm, pleasant and bright days of autumn season with starry nights and ready to be harvested fields all around make occasion doubly pleasant and enjoyable which starts from the Pratipada time in the month of October and ends only on the full moon day of that month. Durga Puja in West Bengal is celebrated grandiosely during Nawaratha.
Importance of Bara Dasai in Society
Bara Dasai is important not only for its religious but also for its social implications upon the society. It has a distinct mark on our religious, social, cultural and economical spheres. With the approach of Bara Dashai believed that anything done on this auspicious day is sure to meet with success, that is why, it is also widely believed that even Lord Ramachandra left for overpowering Ravana, the incarnation of evil and also achieved victory over him on this very day of Bijaya Dashimi, known as Dushera, this festival is celebrated all over India as an important religions ceremony considering being capable of warding off bad effects of unfavourable planets and also capable of liberating a man from the sins committed through his ten senses. Besides its religious connotation, this festival also fosters a sense of fellow feeling, love and unity in the community. It unites not only the separated members of a family but also renews the relationships between the families. The value of unity cannot be undermined in the universe. As all gods united to overpower and destroy mythological demons like Mahishashur, Chand-Munda, Raktabiz, Shumva-Nishumva etc. we also must unite to form a force to fight against social evils like oppression, exploitation and injustice. It is the united effort that can bring about a peaceful atmosphere where happiness reigns supreme.
Celebration of Bijaya Dasami
On the day of Bijaya Dashami it is customary to wake up early and take a shower before cladding with new dress while one of the family members engages in preparing tika in a plate by mixing items like a handful of rice properly cleaned with few spoonfuls of curd. After having completed this preparation all members eagerly wait for the auspicious time of tika to come. This festival of Bijaya Dashami is an example of upliftment and glorification of female gender in Hindu society.The importance of Bara Dashai cannot be overlooked. Its main aim is to make an individual energetic and powerful enough, through Vedic mantra chanting and Upashna, to be able to lead his society and the nation towards development. The entertainment side of this festival is also of not less value and importance.
